Filling machine

ABSTRACT

A machine for filling containers with a liquid. A tank holding a liquid revolves around its vertical axis and has a plurality of filling stations distributed around its circumference, each station having a valve with a control member. A rotatable feeding member having a plurality of locations to house containers to be filled, fees the containers to the machine. A feeler is positioned in each location to detect the presence or absence of a container to be filled. Each feeler is operatively connected to one of two entry pieces which are in turn operatively connected to the control members. If a location in the rotatable feeding member holds a container to be filled, a feeler signals one of the entry pieces to hold open a valve. If a location does not hold a container to be filled, a feeler signals one of the entry pieces to close a valve, thus preventing fluid from being wasted.

United States Patent Van TBlik June 18, 19741 1 FILLING MACHINE Klazinus Albertus Van TBlik, Arnhem, Netherlands [73] Assignee: Stork-[ma N.V., lSletherlands [22] Filed: Dec. 24, 1969 [21] Appl. No.: 887,993

[75] Inventor:

Riker [41/141 Primary ExaminerHouston S. Bell, Jr.

FirmWeiner, Basile and Attorney, Agent, or

Weintraube [57] ABSTRACT A machine for filling containers with a liquid. A tank holding a liquid revolves around its vertical axis and has a plurality of filling stations distributed around its circumference, each station having a valve with a control member. A rotatable feeding member having a plurality of locations to house containers to be filled, fees the containers to the machine. A feeler is positioned in each location to detect the presence or absence of a container to be filled. Each feeler is operatively connected to one of two entry pieces which are in turn operatively connected to the control members.

, If a location in the rotatable feeding member holds a container to be filled, a feeler signals one of the entry pieces to hold open a valve. If a location does not hold a container to be filled, a feeler signals one of the entry pieces to close a valve, thus preventing fluid from being wasted.

4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures FILLING MACHINE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention pertains to the field of art encompassing filling containers, and especially relates to a machine for rapidly and automatically filling a succession of containers with a liquid from a single tank source.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Prior art machines, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,097,672, do not have the capacity to meet the increased output demanded by many users of such a machine. An increase of the output capacity may be obtained by increasing the rate at which the containers traverse the filling track. However, in the conventional filling machines, when this rate is increased difficulties are experienced in operating the valves. To increase the capacity of an automatic filling machine, the machine should, when a filling location does not hold a container to be filled, be capable of displacing the entry pieces, which actuate the control members of the valve, to close the valve associated with that filling location before the control member of the valve for the next succeeding filling station is moved to open its associated valve. This requirement limits the rate and thus the output capacity of prior art machines.

It is an object of the invention to eliminate this restriction and to allow a doubling of the filing rate of the prior art rotary filling machine disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,097,672 issued on July 16, 1963, entitled MAG- NETIC VALVE CONTROL MECHANISM FOR RE- CIPROCAL FILLING MACHINES. To that end, the improvements of the filling machine disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,097,672, reference to which is hereby made, comprises in:

a number of feelers corresponding to the number of locations in the feed member;

two impulse members with which the feelers can alternately cooperate;

two entry pieces which each can cooperate with an impulse member and operating members of the filling valves which are alternately controlled by the one and the other entry piece.

In the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,097,672, there is a single feeler or arm 22 which is active at the beginning of the track of filling stations. This feeler, which only for a short time is in touch with a container, is connected with a single impulse member or control valve 123. The amplification of the feeler mechanism, suggested according to the invention, allows a longer reaction time, and consequently smaller accelerating and retarding forces, whereby at the same or a slightly increased capacity a more reliable operation is obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of the filling machine, wherein for the sake of clearness a number of parts are removed.

FIG. 2 shows to an enlarged scale a higher situated detail of the plan view of FIG. 1, wherein parts of the scanning device are represented.

FIG. 3 is a section according to the line III-Ill in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The construction of the filling machine corresponds to a great extent with the construction as described in the U.S. Pat. 3,097,672. The machine consists of a rotatable supporting table 1 which is provided along its periphery with a plurality of locations 2 for the containers 3 to be filled. The latter are supplied to a feed member 4 with a plurality of locations 5. Above the table 1 is a reservoir (not shown) in which the substance is contained. This reservoir is provided with a plurality of filling stations which are uniformly distributed along its circumference and which are each equipped with a valve with an operating member. So far the construction corresponds with the prior art structure according to the United States Patent 3,097,672.

Two entry pieces 6 and 7 are provided in the contact area between the table 1 and the feed member 4, the two entry pieces lead to a common guide path (not depicted) which is provided above the track of the locations 2 in the arc area A. The operating members of the valves, situated above the locations 2, assume a position such, that is to say a radial distance to the vertical axis 8 of the table 1, that they alternately cooperate with the entry pieces 6 and 7 respectively These pieces are pivotally arranged, and in the one end position they will vertically shift the operating members to open the valve (filling the container), while in the other end position they do not come into contact with the operating member, the valve remaining closed during the further revolution of the table 1.

The entry pieces 6 and 7 have the same function and operation as the chute cam 86 described in column 4, lines 30-75, column 5, lines 1-50, and illustrated in FIGS. 8-10 and 13 of U.S. Pat. No. 3,097,672. However, in this referenced machine there is only one entry piece or cam chute instead of the two used in the present machine.

In each location 5 of the feed member 4 there is a feeler consisting of a short pin 9 and a long pin 10. These pins are slidable in a radial direction against the pressure of a spring 11. The inner end of each pin 9 and 10, respectively has an activating member (e.g., mag net) 12 and 13 respectively, which is best illustrated in FIG. 3. Under the feed member 4 are two recorders (e.g., coils) 14 and 15. The position of the recorders l4 and 15 is such that the activating members 12 and 13 respectively only activate these recorders when the pins 9 and 10 protrude outwardly in default of a container in the relative location 5. As soon as a container enters a location 5, the relative pin 9 or 10 respectively is moved in and the associated activating member 12 or 13 respectively will not activate the recorders 14 or 15 respectively. As a result the operative position of the entry piece 6 or 7 respectively will be maintained and will remain in its elevated position, whereby the valve concerned is opened for filling the container situated thereunder.

Failing a container in the location 5, an impulse will be sent to the entry piece 6 or 7, due to the fact that the recorder 14 or 15 concerned comes into operation whereby said entry piece falls to its inoperative position. As a result, the passing valve operating member is not displaced and the associated valve remains closed.

The recorders l4 and 15 are each connected with a relay l6 and 17 for passing on an amplified signal to two impulse members 18 and 19. These consist each of a pneumatic valve with which compressed air can be While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in supplied to a control cylinder 20 and 21 respectively of 5 the appended claims.

the entry piece 6 and 7 respectively. As long as each location 5 of the feed member 4 is provided with a container 3, the impulse members 18 and 19 are at rest, while the cylinders 20 and 21 keep the entry pieces 6, 7 in the elevated (active) position. However, when a location remains empty, the activating member 12 or 13 respectively of the pin 9 or respectively will activate the recorders 14 or 15 respectively, as a result, the concerned entry piece 6 or 7 respectively will fall or be displaced to its inactive position. A pair of recorders 22, beyond the zone where the containers 3 are transferred from the location 5 to the location 2, ensure that the entry pieces 6 and 7 are returned to their operative position.

As a result of incorporating two entry pieces 6 and 7 in place of the one chute cam 86, and placing a plurality of feeder pins 9 and 10 in locations around the feed wheel 4 in place of the single arm 122 associated with the main container conveying style wheel 28 of the machine disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,097,672, there is more time available for operating the valves in the reservoir. Therefore, reliability of the filling machine is greater while operating at the maximum rate at which this prior art machine was capable, and in addition, the operating rate or capacity of the present machine can be increased beyond that of which this prior art machine is capable.

As a result of this doubling of the scanning device and the transfer of the feeler to the location 5 in the feed member 4 there is more time available for operating the entry pieces 6 and 7. This results in that due to the longer time which is available for the displacement of the entry piece the reliability of the filling machine on operating at the same rate as the known apparatus is greater. This capacity of the apparatus can be enhanced without exceeding the minimal operating time for the entry pieces.

Numerous alterations in the layout of the entry pieces 6, 7, activating members l2, l3, and feed member 4 will be suggested to those skilled in the art by reading this disclosure. A few of these alterations are illustrated by the following.

It should be noted that the two entry pieces 6, 7 are not always juxtaposed, but can also be situated above one the other. In that case, the operating members (the rollers) of the valves should alternately lie at a higher and lower level corresponding to the situation of the two entry pieces.

The activating members 12 and 13 need not necessarily consist of a magnet, but may also be optically active to interrupt a ray of light to a photo electric cell (recorder). The activation can also be effected by mechanical means via rollers at the locations of the members l2 and 13.

The invention can also be applied to a feed member consisting of two or more ratchet wheels 4. In that case each ratchet wheel serves only a part of the locations 2 of the table 1, thereby periodically omitting one or more locations 5. The feelers 9, 10 would also be divided in the correct manner on the ratchet wheels, in order to actuate the arriving valve at the right moment via the entry piece 6 or 7.

What is claimed is:

1. A filling machine comprising:

a tank for containing a fluid mounted for rotatable movement about its vertical axis;

a plurality of filling stations uniformally spaced around the circumference of said tank, each of said filling stations having a valve with an operating member to discharge fluid from said tank;

a rotatably mounted supporting table having a plurality of first locations for housing containers to be filled located under said tank and rotating synchronously therewith;

at least two impulse members;

a rotatably mounted feed member having a plurality of second locations for housing containers to be filled located in juxtaposition to said supporting table, and rotating synchronously therewith to transfer said containers to be filled to said first locations in said support table;

a feeler situated in each of said second locations to detect the presence of a container to be filled, alternate feelers operatively associated with one of said impulse members, and interrnedial feelers operatively associated with the other of said impulse members, said feelers actuating said impulse members when a container is located in a second location of said feed member; and

at least two pivotally mounted entry pieces positioned at the location of juxtaposition between said supporting table, said entry pieces being operatively associated with said valve operating members and each operatively connected with a different one of said impulse members to alternately actuate said valve operating member to open and close said valves upon a signal, received from one of said feelers through one of said impulse members, that a container to be filled is properly positioned in one of said first locations.

2. A filling machine substantially as set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said feelers are comprised of:

long and short spring loaded pins slidably mounted in said second locations of said feed member for movement in a radial direction thereof, such that when a container to be filled is housed in said second location said pin is displaced radially into said feed member, and in the absence of a container being housed in said second location an end of said pin protrudes from said feed member;

said long pins being positioned in alternate said second locations, and said short pins being located in interrnedial said second locations; and

a magnetic activating member affixed near the end of said long and short pins opposite that end which protrudes from said feed member.

3. A filling machine substantially as set forth in claim 2, further characterized in that:

at least one recorder is operatively associated with said magnetic activating member affixed to said short pins, and at least one recorder is operatively associated with said magnetic activating member afiixed to said long pins, such that when a second sociated with said relay and a source of compressed air; and

at least two air cylinders, each operatively associated with one of said pneumatic valves and one of said entry pieces such that upon receipt of a signal through said relay that a first said location does not hold a container to be filled, one of said air cylinders associated with said first location will be displaced to its inactive position so it may not activate said valve opening member, thus preventing fluid from being discharged from said tank. 

1. A filling machine comprising: a tank for containing a fluid mounted for rotatable movement about its vertical axis; a plurality of filling stations uniformally spaced around the circumference of said tank, each of said filling stations having a valve with an operating member to discharge fluid from said tank; a rotatably mounted supporting table having a plurality of first locations for housing containers to be filled located under said tank and rotating synchronously therewith; at least two impulse members; a rotatably mounted fEed member having a plurality of second locations for housing containers to be filled located in juxtaposition to said supporting table, and rotating synchronously therewith to transfer said containers to be filled to said first locations in said support table; a feeler situated in each of said second locations to detect the presence of a container to be filled, alternate feelers operatively associated with one of said impulse members, and intermedial feelers operatively associated with the other of said impulse members, said feelers actuating said impulse members when a container is located in a second location of said feed member; and at least two pivotally mounted entry pieces positioned at the location of juxtaposition between said supporting table, said entry pieces being operatively associated with said valve operating members and each operatively connected with a different one of said impulse members to alternately actuate said valve operating member to open and close said valves upon a signal, received from one of said feelers through one of said impulse members, that a container to be filled is properly positioned in one of said first locations.
 2. A filling machine substantially as set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said feelers are comprised of: long and short spring loaded pins slidably mounted in said second locations of said feed member for movement in a radial direction thereof, such that when a container to be filled is housed in said second location said pin is displaced radially into said feed member, and in the absence of a container being housed in said second location an end of said pin protrudes from said feed member; said long pins being positioned in alternate said second locations, and said short pins being located in intermedial said second locations; and a magnetic activating member affixed near the end of said long and short pins opposite that end which protrudes from said feed member.
 3. A filling machine substantially as set forth in claim 2, further characterized in that: at least one recorder is operatively associated with said magnetic activating member affixed to said short pins, and at least one recorder is operatively associated with said magnetic activating member affixed to said long pins, such that when a second location in said feed means houses a container to be filled said magnetic activating member will not activate said recorders, and in the absence of a container to be filled said magnetic activating member will activate the recorders; and a relay operatively associated with said recorders to transmit an amplified signal from said recorders to said impulse members.
 4. A filling machine substantially as set forth in claim 3, further characterized in that said impulse members are comprised of: at least two pneaumatic valves, each operatively associated with said relay and a source of compressed air; and at least two air cylinders, each operatively associated with one of said pneumatic valves and one of said entry pieces such that upon receipt of a signal through said relay that a first said location does not hold a container to be filled, one of said air cylinders associated with said first location will be displaced to its inactive position so it may not activate said valve opening member, thus preventing fluid from being discharged from said tank. 